About After Life

After Life is a British TV drama series that first premiered in 2019. Created, written, and directed by Ricky Gervais, the show is widely considered to fall within the dark comedy genre. After Life explores the life of Tony Johnson, a man played by Ricky Gervais, who struggles with grief following the death of his wife, Lisa. The show delves into themes of loss, depression, and the fragile nature of human existence, while also incorporating elements of humor and hope.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music / Soundtrack

About

The plot of After Life revolves around Tony Johnson, a writer for a local newspaper who becomes disillusioned with life after his wife's death. Tony contemplates suicide but decides to continue living as a means of punishing the world by saying and doing whatever he pleases. As the series progresses, Tony's interactions with the eccentric characters he encounters in his small town gradually help him find a renewed sense of purpose and learn to appreciate life once again.

Throughout the six-episode first season, After Life skillfully balances elements of dark humor and heart-wrenching drama. The show delves into Tony's emotional journey as he copes with grief, forming unexpected friendships and coming to terms with his loss. It conveys a raw and honest portrayal of grief, offering viewers a poignant exploration of the human condition.

Making / Production

After Life was produced by Derek Productions and Merman, with support from Netflix. The series was written and directed by Ricky Gervais, known for his previous work on The Office, Extras, and Derek.

The show's production was characterized by Gervais' hands-on approach, as he served as both the creator and lead actor. Gervais aimed to create a series that authentically portrayed the experience of grief, highlighting the harsh realities while also incorporating humor.

Actors

• Ricky Gervais as Tony Johnson - Tony is a grieving widower who struggles with depression and uses dark humor as a coping mechanism.
• Penelope Wilton as Anne - Anne is Tony's dementia-stricken father's caretaker, offering Tony an understanding and compassionate presence in his life.
• Ashley Jensen as Emma - Emma is Tony's caring and supportive colleague at the local newspaper, who tries to help him through his grief.
• Tom Basden as Matt - Matt is one of Tony's closest friends and co-worker at the newspaper, providing comedic relief throughout the series. Basden also serves as a writer and producer on the show.
• Tony Way as Lenny - Lenny is another one of Tony's friends who frequently engages in outrageous and inappropriate behavior, adding a touch of dark humor to the series.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• After Life is partly inspired by Ricky Gervais' own experiences with grief and loss.
• The show was filmed in various locations in the UK, including Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire.
• Ricky Gervais received critical acclaim for his performance in After Life, earning praise for his portrayal of Tony's complex emotions.

Awards

After Life has received critical acclaim and has been nominated for various awards.

Quotes

• "I don't want to be happy. I want to have kids and watch them grow up and annoy people and grandchildren and laugh and share things. That's what I want." - Tony Johnson
• "You do want to die, you feel like you want to, but you don't really. This'll pass." - Anne
• "I think there's something in the air that's making everybody crazy." - Matt

Music / Soundtrack

The soundtrack for After Life features a mix of contemplative and poignant songs that complement the emotional tone of the series. The show also includes original music composed by Ricky Gervais.